Fuel stabiliser

[Anthony Byrne]

The GS has been idle for maybe 3 months now with little to no usage. She's all cleaned up, parked in the garage and on an optimate.

As I got the himayalayn 450 that's the bike im messing about with for the winter so the GS may be idle for maybe 4/5 months.

Do you bother using fuel stabiliser, do they work as they say they do?

Thanks

 

[Oldrat]

I try to avoid e10, and prefer e5 fuel when I can get it.

But I do use a fuel stabiliser when a bike is going to be unused for a couple of months or so- this one, and it seems to do it’s stuff.

 

[Anthony Byrne]

Cheers Oldrat, what's the longest you've let a bike sit up (out of curiosity).

 

[er-minio]

Very un-scientific, but… my HP2 sits unused during winter. Never bothered with fuel.
Starts and runs perfectly.
I wouldn’t normally fill it up with 98 at first use and run it properly for a decent distance.

DRZ, last year, same story. Sat unused all winter, started immediately with what was left in.

Longest I left one of my bikes (my old R1150R back in Italy after moving to the UK) was about 1 year and, again, no fuel issue there.

This year, due to a lot of external issues, I used my bikes very little. GS sat unused for 1 or 2 months at a time here and there. No problems whatsoever.

I wouldn’t really bother for a few months.
I agree with oldrat about e5/e10. (Especially on older bikes).

 

[Oldrat]

Cheers Oldrat, what's the longest you've let a bike sit up (out of curiosity).

Just over a year now, but I’ve not started it.

lThose with petrol lawn mowers use similar and they are laid up for months

 

[GADGET]

I use

STABIL Storage, goes in the bike plus lawn mower and other garden machinery, supposed to be good for up to 2 years​

 

[glenn2926]

Very unscientific, I just started up an old chainsaw that had not been started in over three years. Just left on a shelf. I did not put new fuel in it. Third pull and away it went. Heavy old Makita, not even a quality make. It definitely had no fuel stabiliser added.

 

[rustychain]

I use

STABIL Storage, goes in the bike plus lawn mower and other garden machinery, supposed to be good for up to 2 years​

Likewise, bought some a few weeks back.

STA-BIL Stabil Fuel Stabilizer Storage Petrol Treatment Additive 473ml 16 oz | eBay

For all 2-stroke and 4-stroke petrol engines, 473ml bottle treats up to 152 litres of fuel. The solution works safely and effectively in all petrol blends, including ethanol-blended fuel up to E85. Designed for all petrol engines, STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Z1r]

I have used STA-BIL in the past, but now use Honda Pro Fuel from my local garden machinery shop for £6 a bottle.

Honda Fuel Stabiliser

This fuel additive helps keep fuel fresher for longer. It is suitable for: 2-stroke engines 4-stroke engines

www.justhonda.co.uk

 

[Neil W]

I have used it if I am keeping anything with carbs off the road for the winter or any length of time ,it has never seemed to make any difference with EFI equipped cars and bikes

 

[er-minio]

it has never seemed to make any difference with EFI equipped cars and bikes

I suspect this might be the main thing.
As said above, my experience too.

 

[Davey B]

I have never used any...but got into the habit of always topping up the tank before I park it....98 not 95...be it for a few days or a few months. Never had an issue (I've gone and said it now)

 

[littleade]

I drain the petrol out of my RS and put it in the car then get a fresh 5L in spring just before I tax it ready for the summer. Saves buying any stabiliser and I put the money towards E5 instead

 

[Anthony Byrne]

Thanks for the replies

 

[steadysteve]

Never bothered with stabilisers in any of my bikes.
If they’re going to be parked up for any length if time I fill them with super unleaded as it has less ethanol (which is hygrospopic) and never have any issues with starting or rough running.
A full tank reduces the chance of condensation forming inside the tank.

Similar story with my chainsaw- the current fuel in the saw and petrol can must be 2-3 years old. I start the saw every 6 months or so and no issues up to now…. probably jinxed it now

 

[APHezzer]

Same as 'Steadysteve' for bikes .. fill up/brim with super to reduce moisture uptake in the fuel and condensation in the tank.